It also contained one of our favourite types of tool compartment — large, full of useful dividers and, with a zip around three sides and one that flipped fully flat when opened. This allowed instant access to every tool, without digging around, and also created a platform to display small parts and spares, while performing repairs.

When weighed down with the full 25 litres of kit, the wide shoulder straps and waist belt proved very supportive, and with its wide profile, the pack had plenty of contact area to aid stability when riding technical trails or pushing down steep descents. This was further aided by four effective compression straps.

With a zipped pocket on each shoulder strap and both sides of the waist belt, we were never short of a place for snacks and other essentials.

The rest of the pack’s volume is covered by one large compartment — great for taking just about anything we cared to throw in. A small feature that tickled us is the inclusion of a foil blanket pre-packed in the tool compartment — a nod to the Crossmax’s big-mountain aspirations.